Cardinals’ Ricky Seals-Jones Worth a Waiver Claim

Stephen Christopher 12:00 am, November 28th, 2017

QB: Jimmy Garoppolo SF

49er fans finally got to see a glimpse of Garoppolo on Sunday. He came in against Seattle in relief of an injured C.J. Beathard, and completed two passes for 18 yards and a touchdown. Beathard seems unlikely to return to practice early in the week due to the knee contusion and hip strain he suffered Sunday (Elevated Injury Risk, Below Average Health Performance Factor according to Inside Injuries), so it looks like Garoppolo will be named the starter this week. The Niners are expected to announce a Week 13 starter on Wednesday. If he is indeed the under center, Garoppolo has deeper league appeal as an option during the Fantasy playoffs, when he has a couple of great matchups against the Texans and Titans in Weeks 14 and 15.

Davis would have made waiver wire lists a couple weeks ago had he not gotten hurt in what was looking like a breakout game against the Falcons. He missed Sunday's game against San Francisco but is expected to play this week according to Pete Carroll. Davis' groin injury has him listed as an Elevated Injury Risk according to Inside Injuries, so it's worth keeping an eye on him and the words of the notoriously optimistic Carroll.

If Davis does indeed play, he should take over a large portion of the early down snaps and touches in the Seattle backfield. Both Eddie Lacy and Thomas Rawls have done next to nothing this season, opening the door for Davis. It's no guarantee that he will provide great value, given how poorly the others in his position have done this season, but Davis showed burst in that game against Atlanta. He should be running with a Seahawks offensive line that will be getting stronger as players return from injury. Running backs are always needed, and Davis is available. He's worth a look at the very least.

RB: Jacquizz Rodgers TB

Rodgers hasn't provided any sort of value since Doug Martin returned from suspension, but now Martin could be on the shelf this upcoming week due to a concussion. Martin could still play Sunday but is a High Injury Risk. If Martin does sit, Rodgers looks like the top option in the Tampa Bay backfield. Peyton Barber did score two short yardage touchdowns last week, but Rodgers should start and get the majority of snaps and touches. It's not a great matchup against the Packers, but his workload makes him worthy of a pickup regardless.

WR: Zay Jones BUF

Jones had only 33 yards on three catches on Sunday. But the encouraging sign, besides the one touchdown, is that he had 10 targets in the game and looked like Tyrod Taylor's number one option. Buffalo was without Kelvin Benjamin, who is dealing with a torn meniscus and shouldn't be expected to play this week. And they had Jordan Matthews and Charles Clay going at less than 100 percent. Jones was a popular sleeper pick before the season, and might finally have the opportunity to produce here late in the season. Buffalo's offense certainly isn't prolific through the air, but Jones can provide value through volume if he stays the top option.

WR: Dontrelle Inman CHI

Inman has been an under the radar Fantasy receiver for a couple weeks now, as he has quietly seized the Bears' top wideout role. Chicago is depleted at the receiver position, allowing Inman to step in as the top perimeter option for Mitchell Trubisky after finally being activated in Week 10. In the three games since, he’s put up 13 catches for 195 yards. It's nothing spectacular, but Inman should have a weekly role in an offense that is being forced to open things up more for its young quarterback. Inman also has some juicy matchups remaining, which could allow him to have a bigger breakout moving forward.

TE: Ricky Seals-Jones ARI

Ever since Blaine Gabbert took over for the injured Drew Stanton (who took over for the injured Carson Palmer), Ricky Seals-Jones has been a featured option for the Cardinals. He has only been active for five games this season, but in his last two he caught seven passes for 126 yards and three touchdowns. With Gabbert showing well the last two weeks, it's likely that he'll stay the starter, which is a good thing for Seals-Jones. It seems inconceivable, but with all of the injuries at the tight end position currently, Ricky Seals-Jones might be a starting option in Fantasy as soon as this week. He's at least worth a look if you're struggling at the position.

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